Rapid setup retail display

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein apparatus and methods relating to a rapid setup for a retail display of merchandise that includes a tray for holding merchandise for display and a collapsible/expandable base attached to the tray. The tray and base are attached to one another so that the merchandise can be loaded into the tray with the base collapsed, and then the loaded tray and collapsed base are shipped to the retailer. The retailer merely needs to expand the base to set up the retail display with the merchandise ready for display in the tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/232,775 filed on Sep. 25, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

For some types of merchandise, it can be convenient to have the merchandise pre-packaged in a display tray and shipped to the retailer by the merchandiser in the tray, eliminating the need for the retailer to shelve the merchandise. Typically these pre-packaged trays are also shipped to the retailer with a base that allows the tray to be held off the floor and angled to better allow the consumer to see the merchandise in the tray.

When the retailer receives the tray and base from the merchandiser, the retailer is required to assemble the base and then attach the tray to the base, which can require assembly time. In addition, when the merchandiser stocks the tray with merchandise, the merchandiser must also separately pack the base with the tray that is filled with merchandise, and then ship them together to the retailer. While such merchandising systems are steps in the right direction in reducing shelving time and improving product display, they can be bulky and time consuming to pack for shipping and then set up at the retailer. Thus, further improvements in this area are needed.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed herein apparatus and methods relating to a corrugated paperboard retail display and the assembly, packing, shipping and/or set up of the retail display for merchandise. The retail display includes a tray for holding merchandise and a base that is attached to the tray before the tray is loaded with merchandise so that the tray and base ship as a single, integral unit to the packer for loading with merchandise, and then shipped as a single, integral unit including the merchandise to the retailer, where the retailer sets up the retail display with the pre-loaded merchandise. The base and tray can be attached to one another in any suitable manner, including by any adhesive such as glue, Velcro, tape, and interlocking tabs, for example.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the illustrative embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a retail display including a tray and a base looking toward a rear of the retail display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled tray and base of the retail display looking toward the rear of the retail display.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the base before it is folded for attachment to the tray.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retail display with the side panels of the base folded outwardly for attaching the tray to the base.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retail display with the side panels of the base folded inwardly for shipping of the retail display to the retailer.

FIG. 6 is another rearward looking perspective view of the retail display with the locking tab of the base disengaged from the tray.

FIG. 7 is a rearward looking perspective view of the retail display showing the final setup of the base with the locking panel and side panels.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one embodiment tray before it is folded to for attachment to the base and to receive merchandise.

DESCRIPTION THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are contemplated herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of a retail display 10. Retail display 10 includes a tray 20 and a base 50. Referring further to FIG. 2, tray 20 is attached to base 50 to form retail display 10. Tray 20 includes a front side 22 and a rear side 24 that extend between a top end 26 and a bottom end 28. Base 50 extends from a rear side 24 of tray 20 so that merchandise (not shown) can be held and displayed at front side 22 of tray 20. Base 50 defines a lower end 52 that, along with bottom end 28 of tray 20, rest on a support surface 12 such as a floor or shelf to orient tray 20 in an upright position that is slightly angled to provide ready visibility of and access to the merchandise in tray 20 by consumers.

Referring further to FIG. 3, base 50 includes a planar rear panel 54 extending between lower end 52 and an opposite upper end 56. Rear panel 54 also extends between a first side edge 58 and an opposite second side edge 60. Base 50 includes a first side panel 62 extending from first side edge 58 and a second side panel 64 extending from second side edge 60. The first and second side panels 62, 64 are foldable relative to rear panel 54 from a co-planar orientation with rear panel 54 as shown in FIG. 3 to an orthogonally oriented orientation with rear panel 54 as shown in FIGS. 1-2. As used herein, orthogonally oriented includes perpendicular orientations and orientations that vary from perpendicular so long as the desired function of the oriented element is achieved.

First side panel 62 extends from rear panel 54 to a first attachment member 66, and second side panel 64 extends from rear panel 54 to a second attachment member 68. Attachment members 66, 68 are foldable relative to the respective side panel 62, 64 from a co-planar configuration with the respective side panel 62, 64 as shown in FIG. 3 to an orthogonally oriented orientation with the respective side panel 62, 64 as shown in FIGS. 1-2. In the orthogonally oriented orientation, the attachment members 66, 68 extend toward one another and along rear side 24 of tray 20. An adhesive such as glue, or other attachment means such as Velcro, locking tabs, etc., can be applied to each of the attachment members 66, 68 and used to fixedly secure base 50 to tray 20 to provide a one-piece assembly for retail display 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each attachment member 66, 68 extends along an entire length of the respective side panel 62, 64. In other embodiments, one or both of attachment members 66, 68 extends along a portion of the length of the respective side panel 62, 64, and/or is discontinuous along the length of the respective side panel 62, 64.

Base 50 further includes a locking panel 70 foldably attached to upper end 56 of rear panel 54. Locking panel 70 is foldable from a co-planar configuration such as shown in FIG. 3 to a transverse orientation as shown in FIGS. 1-2 to secure a locking tab 72 projecting from an outer end 74 of locking panel 70 into a slot 30 defined by tray 20. In its transverse orientation, locking panel 70 contacts adjacent surfaces of side panels 62, 64 and assists in keeping side panels 62, 64 from folding inwardly.

First side panel 62 includes a tapered width W1 that tapers in the upward direction with a rounded top end 76. First side panel 62 also includes a first crease 78 that extends on a centerline of side panel 62 along an entire length of first side panel 62. Second side panel 64 also includes a tapered width W2 that tapers in the upward direction with a rounded top end 80. Second side panel 64 also includes a second crease 82 that extends on a centerline of second side panel 64 along an entire length of second side panel 64. First and second creases 78, 82 allow side panels 62, 64 to be outwardly folded in a first collapsed configuration for base 50 as shown by outwardly folded attachment members 62′, 64′ in FIG. 4. In the first collapsed configuration, base 50 is positioned to allow attachment of tray 20 to attachment members 66, 68 and rear panel 54 and locking panel 70 lie adjacent to rear side 24 of tray 20. After attachment of tray 20 to base 50, retail display 10 can be shipped to the packer for packing of merchandise in tray 20.

The tray 20 can be loaded with merchandise by the packer while base 50 is attached to tray 20 and collapsed in the first configuration. First and second creases 78, 82 also allow side panels 62, 64 to be inwardly folded in a second collapsed configuration for base 50 as shown by inwardly folded attachment members 62″, 64″ in FIG. 5. In the second collapsed configuration, base 50 is configured to provide a low profile footprint that matches the footprint of tray 20. After tray 20 is packed with merchandise the packed and collapsed retail display 10 can be sent to the retailer with base 50 in the second collapsed configuration of FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the base 50 in the second collapsed configuration can be secured to tray 20 with tape, straps, rope, or other temporary restraining means to help hold base 50 against tray 20 in the collapsed configuration.

When retail display 10 is received by the retailer, base 50 can be expanded from the second collapsed configuration by outwardly unfolding side panels 62, 64 to space rear panel 54 away from rear side 24 of from tray 20 as shown in FIG. 6. Locking panel 70 is then folded relative to rear panel 54 between the unfolded side panels 62, 64 to engage slot 30 in tray 20, as shown in FIG. 7. The expanded base 50 and tray 20 can then be placed on the support surface 12 to display the merchandise pre-packaged in tray 20.

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of tray 20 in an unfolded configuration, it being understood that any suitable tray is contemplated. Tray 20 includes a number of shelves 32, 34, 36 for holding the merchandise at front side 26. Tray 20 also includes a pedestal portion 38 extending from lower end 28 to first shelf 32. Rear side 24 is foldable relative to front side 26 to secure attachment portion 40 to first side portion 42.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated. For example, one aspect includes a retail display apparatus that includes a base and a tray. The base includes a rear panel extending between an upper end and an opposite lower end, and further extending between opposite side edges. The base further includes first and second side panels extending from respective ones of the opposite side edges, a first attachment member along the first side panel, and a second attachment member along the second side panel. The tray includes a first side configured to hold merchandise for retail display and a second side opposite the first side. The first and second attachment members of the base are attached to the tray.

In one embodiment, the first and second attachment members are attached to the second side of the tray. In a refinement of this embodiment, the first attachment member extends along an entire length of the first side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the first side panel, and the second attachment member extends along an entire length of the second side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the second side panel. The first and second side panels are orthogonally oriented to the rear panel. In a further refinement, the first and second attachment members extend toward one another along the second side of the tray. In yet another further refinement, the first side panel includes a first folding crease and the second side panel includes a second folding crease. The first and second folding creases extend along the entire length of the respective first and second side panel on a centerline thereof. In still another refinement, the base includes a locking panel extending from the upper end of the rear panel. The locking panel is foldable relative to the rear panel to a transverse orientation relative to the rear panel, and the locking panel includes a locking tab projecting therefrom. The tray defines a slot that receives the locking tab of the locking panel.

In another embodiment, a bottom end of the tray is aligned with the lower end of the rear panel so that the tray is supported in an upright position on a support surface with the bottom end of the tray and the lower end of the rear panel on the support surface.

Another aspect includes a retail display apparatus with a tray and a base. The tray includes a first side configured to hold merchandise for retail display and a second side opposite the first side. The base includes a rear panel extending between an upper end and an opposite lower end. The base further includes a locking panel foldably connected to the upper end of the rear panel. The rear panel extends between opposite side edges, and the base further includes first and second side panels extending from respective ones of the opposite side edges of the rear panel. The first and second side panels are attached to the tray. Each of the first and second side panels includes a respective one of a first folding crease and a second folding crease extending along a length thereof, and in a collapsed configuration of the base the first and second side panels are inwardly folded along the folding crease thereof so that the first and second side panels, the rear panel and the locking panel lie adjacent the second side of the tray and the rear panel and locking, and in an expanded configuration of the base the first and second side panels are unfolded along the folding crease thereof to space the rear panel from the second side of the tray allowing the locking panel to fold transversely to the rear panel and engage the tray to lock base in an expanded configuration that supports the tray.

In one embodiment, the base further includes a first attachment member along the first side panel and a second attachment member along the second side panel and the first and second attachment members of the base are attached to the tray. In a refinement of this embodiment, the first attachment member extends along an entire length of the first side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the first side panel, and the second attachment member extends along an entire length of the second side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the second side panel. The first and second attachment members extend toward one another along the second side of the tray and the first and second side panels are orthogonally oriented to the rear panel. In a further refinement, the first and second attachment members are glued to the tray.

In another embodiment, the first and second folding creases extend along a centerline of the respective one of the first and second side panels for an entire length of the respective first and second side panel. In yet another embodiment, the locking panel includes a locking tab that engages a slot of the tray in the expanded configuration of the base. In still another embodiment, a bottom end of the tray is aligned with the lower end of the rear panel so that the tray is supported in an upright position on a support surface with the bottom end of the tray and the lower end of the rear panel on the support surface.

According to another aspect, a method for providing a retail display includes: assembling a tray that is configured to hold merchandise with a base that is configured to support the tray by attaching the base to the tray with the base is in a collapsed configuration; placing merchandise in the tray while the tray is attached to the base in the collapsed configuration; and expanding the collapsed base to support the tray attached to the base in an upright position to display the merchandise in the tray.

In one embodiment, the method includes shipping the merchandise in the tray attached to the base in the collapsed configuration to a retailer with side panels of the base inwardly folded. In another embodiment, the method includes attaching the tray to the base with the side panels outwardly folded. In still another embodiment, the expanded base and tray are each supported on a support surface when the tray is placed in the upright position.

In yet another embodiment of the method, expanding the collapsed base includes unfolding first and second side panels attached to the tray to space a rear panel that extends between the side panels away from the tray. In a refinement of this embodiment, expanding the collapsed base further includes folding a locking panel at an upper end of the rear panel toward the tray and positioning a locking tab of the locking panel in a slot of the tray. In yet a further refinement, each of the side panels includes an attachment member extending therefrom and each of the attachment members is glued to the tray.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.

In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a base including a rear panel extending between an upper end and an opposite lower end, the rear panel further extending between opposite side edges, the base further including first and second side panels extending from respective ones of the opposite side edges, the base further including a first attachment member along the first side panel and a second attachment member along the second side panel; and a tray including a first side configured to hold merchandise for retail display and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first and second attachment members of the base are attached to the tray.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment members are attached to the second side of the tray.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first attachment member extends along an entire length of the first side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the first side panel and wherein the second attachment member extends along an entire length of the second side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the second side panel, and the first and second side panels are orthogonally oriented to the rear panel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second attachment members extend toward one another along the second side of the tray.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first side panel includes a first folding crease and the second side panel includes a second folding crease, wherein the first and second folding creases extend along the entire length of the respective first and second side panel on a centerline thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base includes a locking panel extending from the upper end of the rear panel, the locking panel being foldable relative to the rear panel to a transverse orientation relative to the rear panel, the locking panel further including a locking tab projecting therefrom, wherein the tray defines a slot that receives the locking tab of the locking panel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a bottom end of the tray is aligned with the lower end of the rear panel so that the tray is supported in an upright position on a support surface with the bottom end of the tray and the lower end of the rear panel on the support surface.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: a tray including a first side configured to hold merchandise for retail display and a second side opposite the first side; and a base including a rear panel extending between an upper end and an opposite lower end, the base further including a locking panel foldably connected to the upper end of the rear panel, the rear panel further extending between opposite side edges, the base further including first and second side panels extending from respective ones of the opposite side edges of the rear panel, wherein the first and second side panels are attached to the tray, wherein each of the first and second side panels includes a respective one of a first folding crease and a second folding crease extending along a length thereof, and in a collapsed configuration of the base the first and second side panels are inwardly folded along the folding crease thereof so that the first and second side panels, the rear panel and the locking panel lie adjacent the second side of the tray and the rear panel and locking, and in an expanded configuration of the base the first and second side panels are unfolded along the folding crease thereof to space the rear panel from the second side of the tray allowing the locking panel to fold transversely to the rear panel and engage the tray to lock base in an expanded configuration that supports the tray.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the base further includes a first attachment member along the first side panel and a second attachment member along the second side panel and the first and second attachment members of the base are attached to the tray.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first attachment member extends along an entire length of the first side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the first side panel and wherein the second attachment member extends along an entire length of the second side panel and is orthogonally oriented relative to the second side panel, wherein the first and second attachment members extend toward one another along the second side of the tray and the first and second side panels are orthogonally oriented to the rear panel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second attachment members are glued to the tray.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second folding creases extend along a centerline of the respective one of the first and second side panels for an entire length of the respective first and second side panel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the locking panel includes a locking tab that engages a slot of the tray in the expanded configuration of the base.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a bottom end of the tray is aligned with the lower end of the rear panel so that the tray is supported in an upright position on a support surface with the bottom end of the tray and the lower end of the rear panel on the support surface.
 15. A method for providing a retail display, comprising: assembling a tray that is configured to hold merchandise with a base that is configured to support the tray by attaching the base to the tray, wherein the base is in a collapsed configuration; placing merchandise in the tray while the tray is attached to the base in the collapsed configuration; and expanding the collapsed base to support the tray attached to the base in an upright position to display the merchandise in the tray.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising shipping the merchandise in the tray attached to the base in the collapsed configuration to a retailer.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein expanding the collapsed base includes unfolding first and second side panels attached to the tray to space a rear panel that extends between the side panels away from the tray.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein expanding the collapsed base further includes folding a locking panel at an upper end of the rear panel toward the tray and positioning a locking tab of the locking panel in a slot of the tray.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the side panels includes an attachment member extending therefrom and each of the attachment members is glued to the tray.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the expanded base and tray are each supported on a support surface when the tray is placed in the upright position. 